Stories from Thursday, September 20, 2012

News In Brief(09/20/12)The Monett Police Department, with the assistance of the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department and other agencies, will conduct a sobriety checkpoint before Oct. 1. The Monett Police Department takes a strong stance against drunk driving and makes the safety of the Monett citizens, as well as all of the motoring public, their top priority...

Knockin' On Autumn's Door(09/20/12)With autumn beginning this week, fall colors are not yet visible in abundance but can be found bursting out along the sides of country roads. Sumacs are turning bright reds and yellows, setting a high standard for the coming season. This stretch of color could be found along Farm Road 1150, north of McDowell during the last week in August. [Times Photo by Murray Bishoff...

Youth In Action(09/20/12)Young people from Monett area Methodist churches were among the forefront of the volunteers working around the community for Serve2012 on Sept. 8 and 9. Above, young people washed windows at the Casey's convenience store in Pierce City and gave away cookies with an invitation to join the rally Saturday evening, Sept. 9, at Monett's South Park. Below, young people helped add Monett purple paint to the light poles and the poles for the canopies over seating at the South Park soccer fields...

Banned Book Week to celebrate literary freedom(09/20/12)Readers may want to mark their calendars now to observe Banned Book Week, which kicks off on Sept. 30 and continues through Oct. 3. This is the 30th annual event celebrating the "freedom to read and highlights the value of free and open access to information...

Monett 911 extends reach(09/20/12)Monett's dispatching service has completed preparations to provide 911 service to Verona. Details were shared at the quarterly meeting of Monett's 911 Advisory Board. Dispatching supervisor Bonnie Witt-Schulte said dispatching for Verona will begin on Oct. 1. An average of 50 calls a month are expected, not enough to warrant an increase in Monett's staffing levels. Verona will pay Monett $175 a month for the service...

Times joins online trend(09/20/12)On Sept. 24, The Monett Times will join hundreds of newspapers across the country in charging for access to online content. Current print subscribers will maintain access as part of their basic subscription, but online-only users will be asked to pay after surpassing a limited number of story views per month...

Purdy teen injured(09/20/12)A Purdy teen was injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred at 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18, on Highway 37 about two miles north of Cassville. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when the driver of a 2002 Chevrolet 2500, Marcus S. Bohanan, 42, of Cassville, failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, driven by McKinnah E. Freeman, 16, of Purdy, as the truck entered an uncontrolled intersection...

Monett woman arrested for stabbing Cassville man(09/20/12)A Monett woman has been arrested in connection with the Sept. 12 stabbing of a Cassville man. According to Monett Police Chief Tim Schweder, Wendi J. Sitton, 32, of Monett, was arrested on Sept. 14 after investigators received information during a second interview with the victim, Jonathan Gemmecke, 32, of Cassville. Gemmecke said that Sitton had stabbed him during a domestic altercation on Sixth Street in Monett...

Stamping Class at Library(09/20/12)There was much to see and do at Tuesday's stamping class at the Pierce City Branch Library. Participants had the opportunity to practice with several different types of stamps, coloring styles and embellishing techniques. From left, are: Terry Canady, branch supervisor, Kristin Nama, who was demonstrating the use of various stamps and inks, Rylee Sexton, Axl Sexton, Vickie Daniel and Georgia Roskelley, children's coordinator for the Pierce City branch. [Times Photo by Melonie Roberts]...

Festival to return to Shell Knob(09/20/12)The Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce will hold its seventh annual Shakin' in the Shell Fest on the grounds behind Meek's and Country Fresh Market off of Highway 39 in Shell Knob on Saturday, Sept. 22. The annual festival offers live entertainment, food concessions, a family fun area, a car show, a beer garden, crafters and tethered hot air balloon rides. Adult admission is $1. Children under the age of 18 are admitted at no cost. The event also offers free parking...

Hispanic Heritage Band(09/20/12)The Latino band Conjunto Prisionero had the evening crowd dancing on Broadway on Saturday night at the conclusion of Monett's first Hispanic Heritage Month Festival.
[Times Photo by Murray Bishoff]

Cubs and Dawgs set to tangle tonight(09/20/12)The fourth longest running Missouri prep football rivalry is set to renew tonight in Aurora as the Monett Cubs (3-1, 2-1) and the Houn' Dawgs (3-1, 2-1) prepare for a huge game. Monett is coming off a 42-14 victory over East Newton while Aurora was dealt a 45-22 setback by Carl Junction...

Pierce City splits volleyball matches(09/20/12)The Pierce City Lady Eagles volleyball team split matches with Crane and College Heights this week. On Sept. 17 Pierce City downed Crane 25-15, 25-15. The Lady Eagles were led by Christine Younker with nine kills and two blocks. Brianna Zebert had 17 assists and seven digs...

Lady Cubs softball team earns key victory(09/20/12)The Monett Lady Cubs improved to 10-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big 8 Conference with a 2-0 victory over Carl Junction (7-9, 3-1), Tuesday Sept. 18, at North Park. With two conference games remaining on the schedule, the Lady Cubs control their own fate in the conference title race...

MMS Cubs football season underway(09/20/12)The Monett Middle School Cubs seventh and eighth grade football teams opened the 2012 gridiron season with mixed results. On Sept. 6, each squad began the season at Mt. Vernon The seventh grade Cubs fell 36-16 despite getting a 1-yard touchdown run from Jedd Anderson and a 70-yard touchdown run from Bailey Austin...

Jack Mayfield(09/20/12)Jack E. Mayfield, age 79, of Aurora, died at 10:23 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A graveside service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora, will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday in the funeral home ...